Anthony on life after MasterChef New Zealand
1) How's life been since being part of MasterChef
NZ's Top 12?
Surreal. I have to go through the takeaway drive
thru wearing a disguise now.
2) What was your biggest learning curve?
Learning to be professional in a kitchen. It's a
completely different world to cooking at your own pace at
home! That and learning how to handle stress and
pressure.
3) Which dish you created were you most proud
of?
My Lamb dish from the NZ Modern Cuisine challenge.
Being a proud Kiwi who had been overseas for some time it was nice
to be able to connect with what I felt Kiwi food was for me.
I also think this dish was the closest representation to who I am
as a cook.
4) What have you learned most from the
experience?
Chase your dreams! Even if they try to outrun
you. Keep chasing.
5) You all shared a house - who did you get on best
with and why?
We all got on. It was amazing to have 12 people come
together and be so understanding and respectful.
6) Conversely, who didn't you feel you spent enough
time with?
Ditto above. They're all welcome round mine
anytime!
7) What do you make of this year's winner?
Good on her! What an achievement! I remember
when we were in the top 25 I was talking to Nadia about her food
dreams and she pulled out this journal brimming from cover to cover
with her own recipes. Each recipe marked out of 10.
Reasons it was good. Reasons it was bad. I knew at that
moment she would be a serious contender.
8) Which MasterClass do you wish you'd been part of
- and why?
The dessert Masterclass. I love making a good
dessert and the three dishes put up looked so amazing and
tasty!
9) What's your biggest regret about not getting
further in the competition than you did?
The Car. I really need a new car.
10) When you were evicted, what would you have
changed about the challenge which saw you forced to leave?
I would have worn two pairs of underpants and ensured Josh
was aware of my doubling up, hoping to avoid his wrath in the
judging.
11) Which challenge would you have liked to have
taken part in and why?
The recipe book challenge, because this was one of the few
challenges where you had a chance to start with a blank canvas and
paint a picture of who you were as a cook and what your philosophy
was with food.
12) Will you continue to pursue your cooking dreams
now that the show is over?
I'll keep chasing my dreams. The show focussed my
attention to what I really want in life and I'm now trying to put
the hard work into making those dreams come true.
13) What's next for you?
My passion is food writing and food styling. I've
set up a food blog
www.frescanz.blogspot.com
which is about fresh food and fresh ideas. New Zealand has so many
fantastic home grown food products out there and I really want to
support these by showcasing them through my blog. Subscribe by
email through the link and you can get a heads up on what's going
on in the food world along with great recipes and restaurant
reviews delivered straight to your inbox. You can also find me on
facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FrescaNZ
14) What advice would you give to future
contestants, should there be another series?
Don't wait until you're in to do all the preparation to
ensure you win. If you fill out an application start
practicing then because before you know it you too could be
standing in the Masterchef Kitchen wondering what's the difference
between a Hollandiase and a Bernaise!
15) Fill in the gap: the kitchen utensil I look
like the most is...
A cheese grater. Ask a silly
question&&&&
